Ticking off from Tesco for couple who spent too long shopping

This is article is repeated in full - it is from today's Guardian newspaper, main section, page 4. Bear in mind that, if we get a supermarket on the regeneration site, it has to share its car park with tourists going to the Jurassic Coast Interpretation Centre AND the extended Seaton marshes. Read and weep.

QUOTE
Roland and Pauline Hodgson decided to make a day of their trip to the supermarket to do their Christmas shopping. As well as filling their trolleys with festive goodies and buying presents for their family at Tesco, they lingered in the clothes section as Mrs Hodgson, 75, tried on outfits, and in electronics while Mr Hodgson, 80, pondered whether to splash out on a television set.

They then sat down for a meal in the restaurant at the store in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, before returning to their car just over four hours after their arrival.

But days later the couple, who both have disabilities, were admonished for shopping too slowly. Tesco wrote to tell them their car had been parked for longer than the three hours the store felt was needed. The letter said: "We know from research that the time limits exceed the time customers spend shopping in our stores and feel that they are fair and reasonable. "Therefore could you please observe the time restrictions to avoid a parking charge notice being issued."

Mr Hodgson, who uses a wheelchair, said: "Between us we spent around £1.25 a minute. But they still want more. "We go there once a week and normally spend around £60. We won't be going back again. What a way to treat loyal customers. They're persecuting the disabled for shopping too slowly."

Mr and Mrs Hodgson spent more than £200. They were accompanied by their daughter Georgina, who spent £80, and the meal cost £20. The trip lasted four hours and nine minutes.

Tesco claimed the letter was a "gentle reminder" rather than a telling-off and said the rules were in place to make sure there were always spaces available for shoppers. "We feel that in the vast majority of cases three hours should be enough for everyone's needs," the store said.